Speeches

I’d like to begin by thanking Secretary General Mikuriya and the World Customs Organization for their great fellowship and dedication to international security. It’s an honor to be with you today, and I thank you for your commitment to these important issues.

We come together today with a shared dedication to protecting a freedom on which we all depend – the freedom of movement and worldwide commerce.

I also want to thank IATA, in particular Director General Bisignani and Lufthansa for sponsoring this conference in this beautiful and historic city, and for giving me the opportunity to talk about my vision for United States aviation security as we move forward in an era of worldwide engagement to make our skies safe and protect our freedoms.

Good morning, it is a great pleasure for me to join you at this Transportation and Terrorism Conference. My thanks to Bob Mueller and the FBI for sponsoring this important gathering of counter-terrorism professionals. It is an honor for TSA to participate as co-host.

Aero Club of WashingtonLuncheon at Capital Hilton HotelWashington, D.C.

(As Delivered)

Good afternoon everybody. It's a great pleasure to be here with you during this ninety-ninth year of the Aero Club, and it is a great pleasure to occupy the Marion Blakey Memorial Seat at the head table.

Thank you for this opportunity to appear today to discuss the future of transportation security. Thank you to our friends from AAAE for their partnership and to Chip Barclay for that kind introduction. Chip has been the best kind of partner – always supportive.

Thank you. I am excited to be here in Berlin, with its rich scientific and creative heritage, and especially at the Berlin Air Show celebrating the accomplishments of aviation. It is hard not to think of the science that has made it all possible.

Aero Club of WashingtonLuncheon at Capital Hilton HotelWashington, D.C.

Thank you for inviting me. It is a great pleasure to be with all of you today.

A special recognition goes out to Marion Blakey. Marion has been a great partner at the FAA and a good friend. I think history is going to show her to be a great leader at a critical time for the agency. It’s too early for her to take a victory lap, but all of us at TSA are better off for her contributions, so thank you Marion.